Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Quadratic Functions
The height of the stone is modeled by a quadratic function, which is a polynomial of degree two. In this case, the function s(t) = -4.9t² + 19.6t + 24.5 represents a parabola that opens downward due to the negative coefficient of the t² term. Understanding the properties of quadratic functions, such as their vertex and axis of symmetry, is essential for determining the maximum height of the stone.
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Vertex of a Parabola
The highest point of a downward-opening parabola, like the one described by the height function, is called the vertex. The vertex can be found using the formula t = -b/(2a), where a and b are the coefficients from the quadratic equation. This point gives the time at which the stone reaches its maximum height, which is crucial for solving the problem.
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Maximum Value of a Function
To find the maximum height of the stone, we need to evaluate the height function at the time found from the vertex calculation. The maximum value of the function s(t) corresponds to the height of the stone at its peak. This involves substituting the time back into the original height equation to find the specific height at that moment.
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